Car Insurance In Oregon 2026: Laws, Costs, Requirements & Companies

After analyzing the car insurance market in Oregon, I’ve seen the way that car insurance requirements can impact drivers differently. This guide is designed to provide drivers with everything they need to know about car insurance requirements in the state, who operates there, and what discounts can be applied to keep costs affordable.

Does Oregon Require Car Insurance?

Yes, Oregon requires that all drivers maintain minimum liability coverage and keep copies of it on hand. Failure to do so can trigger penalties and suspensions. The minimum requirement includes 25/50/15 as well as personal injury protection and uninsured motorist protection:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
• Property Damage Liability: $20,000 per accident.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $15,000 per person to cover medical expenses for you and your passengers.
• Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

How Much Insurance Should You Get In Oregon?

Oregon has more robust minimum state requirements for car insurance than many other states, particularly because of the mandatory PIP and uninsured motorist, but that does not mean that drivers shouldn’t invest in optional coverage.

Single vehicle slide-offs are common on the Cabbage Hill pass, or Santiam pass, especially in winter. If you slide into a guardrail because of black ice or collide with a tree, you’ll be responsible for all of the repairs unless you invest in Collision.

Similarly, towing can be very costly in these areas given the long distances and difficult to rain without Roadside Assistance as an optional coverage.

Comprehensive coverage can help you recover the value of your vehicle or pay for repairs if your vehicle is vandalized, stripped, or stolen. This is particularly important in Portland and Salem, both of which have had fluctuating but very high rates of vehicle-related crime over the past several years.

Comprehensive coverage can also protect you in the event of coastal floods or heavy rain that cause damage,  things that are not covered by a collision or standard liability policy, and are particularly important along the coast.

How Much Is Car Insurance In Oregon?

The average monthly cost for the state minimum liability coverage is around $80 per month, but full comp and collision coverage can cost around $190 per month. That said, rates can change based on location and driver profile. Below are some common examples:

• Non-owner car insurance: Drivers who want coverage for rented or borrowed cars can expect premiums that vary by age, with prices averaging $30 per month.
• Temporary car insurance: A one-month premium averages $123in Oregon.
• Senior car insurance: Oregon drivers in their 60s can expect around $50 per month for basic liability but around $210 for full coverage.
• Teen car insurance: Teens in Oregon have the highest rates, around $300 per month on a parent policy and up to $580 on an individual policy.
• SR-22: High-risk drivers can expect around $280 per month with an SR-22.
• College Students: Once drivers turn 20, their “teen” rates will start to decline, with full coverage around $200 per month.
• Bad Credit: Bad credit can more than double premiums in Oregon.
• With a speeding ticket: A single speeding ticket can add 18% to your premiums in Oregon.

These figures are general estimates and can vary depending on the insurer and your personal driving profile.

Which Car Insurance Companies Operate In Oregon?

Oregon’s insurance companies are mainly large, national providers; however, several prominent regional insurers specialize in car insurance throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Oregon. Some of the most prominent national, regional, and technology-focused carriers include the following:

• State Farm
• Progressive
• Allstate
• GEICO
• Travelers
• USAA
• Nationwide
• Farmers Insurance
• Liberty Mutual
• The Hartford
• Oregon Mutual Insurance
• Mutual of Enumclaw
• PEMCO Insurance
• COUNTRY Financial
• Auto-Owners Insurance
• Capital Insurance Group
• Wawanesa Insurance
• Root Insurance
• Dairyland
• Metromile
• Safeco

Note: The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation Company Search tool can be used to find every licensed provider in Oregon.

With Insuranceopedia, you can look at comparative policies and coverage through different providers to find coverage that meets legal minimums and fits your needs.

How To Get Lower Insurance Premiums In Oregon

Oregon drivers are struggling with record-high car insurance premiums and desperately looking for ways to cut costs. Below are several things you can do to lower your insurance premiums in Oregon.

Increase Your Deductible

Increasing your deductible can reduce the amount you pay on your insurance premiums for collision and comprehensive coverage by up to 30%. Check with your budget and your insurance agent to see how much you can set aside for an unexpected car repair or collision and what that might save you on your premiums.

Bundle Multiple Policies

If you can, bundling multiple insurance policies can typically save an average of 25% across all policies.

Try Usage-Based Insurance

Usage-based Insurance programs will track your driving habits and give you rewards of between 30% and 40% for being a safe driver, as well as rewards for low mileage.

Maintain A Good Credit Score

Having a good credit score can help reduce your risk profile, especially if you’re taking out a new policy. This means that a higher credit score can lead to lower premiums.

Shop Annually

Year to hear your premiums can change drastically from one company to the next. Use tools like Insuranceopedia to check rates before your current policy expires. You might be surprised how much you can save by switching to another provider.

Keep A Clean Driving Record

Tickets and car accidents can stay on your record for between 3 and 5 years, increasing your premiums during that time. Maintaining a clean driving record is one of the best ways to enjoy safe driver discounts and reduce your premiums in Oregon.

Take A State-Mandated Senior Discount Course

If you are 55 or older, you can get discounts by taking a state-approved accident prevention course. Oregon law (ORS 742.490) requires insurance companies to offer a premium discount to those who take these courses, applicable for at least two years.

Verify Your “Usage-Based” Classification

Every time an existing policy in Oregon renews, your insurance company will look at your usage. Premiums are based on usage classifications, meaning the amount of mileage you generate in a given year. If you live in a city like Portland or Bend and you have a short commute, make sure that your policy reflects your low mileage status so that you can get pay-per-mile discounts or reduced rates on your premiums.

Proof Of Insurance In Oregon

Driving without insurance in Oregon can lead to significant fines and an immediate license suspension. That’s why it’s important to have coverage and to make sure you maintain proof of that coverage at all times.

Oregon law requires that all drivers carry proof of their insurance either in a physical paper copy or an electronic copy that they can provide upon request. Other acceptable forms of insurance proof include a liability binder, a full copy of your insurance policy, or a signed letter from your insurance company.

Being caught without proof will trigger a presumptive fine of $265, but depending on the court, that can be well over $1,000. Your license and registration will be suspended until you can provide proof of insurance.

If you are stopped at a traffic stop and are unable to show proof of insurance, your vehicle may be towed and impounded as well. If you are involved in an accident and that’s how it comes to life that you don’t have insurance, your license will be suspended for one year, regardless of who was at fault.

New 2025 laws stipulate that reinstatement requires a $75 DMV fee and an SR-22 certificate from your insurance company for three years. If you are involved in a car accident that was your fault, you’ll have to pay all of the damages and legal judgments from that accident before your license is reinstated.

Oregon State Driving Laws

Oregon State driving laws combine an at-fault liability system with strict regulations for how drivers are to maintain coverage and stay safe on the road.

Fault State

To start, Oregon is considered an at-fault state, but it also requires personal injury protection. This means that whichever driver is considered at fault has to pay for the damages for the other parties involved; however, your personal injury protection coverage is what pays for your initial medical costs and lost wages, no matter who was at fault.

Drivers Without Insurance

It’s illegal to drive without proper insurance, which can include fines, a mandatory one-year license suspension, and an SR-22 certificate filed for 3 years.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Oregon requires that all drivers carry uninsured motorist coverage to protect you in the event of getting in an accident with a driver that doesn’t have insurance or in the event of a hit-and-run accident.

DUI Laws

The legal limit for drivers over the age of 21 is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%, and for drivers under 21, any level of alcohol detection is an offense.

Seat Belt Laws

Oregon uses a primary seat belt law, which means that all occupants of a vehicle have to wear a seatbelt, and failure to do so can result in a police officer pulling you over for violation.

Distracted Driving Laws

It is illegal for drivers to use handheld mobile devices for any activity while driving, which can include significant penalties and increased penalties if distracted driving leads to an accident.

Teen Driving Laws

Oregon uses a graduated driver licensing (GDL) program, so teenagers aged 15 can get an instruction permit with provisions and a provisional license at age 16.

Statute Of Limitations For Claims

Oregon’s statute of limitations for claims involving a car accident is typically two years from the date of the crash.

Cancellation/Non-Renewal Notification Laws

Insurance providers have to give you at least 10 days written notice before canceling your policy due to non-payment, but 30 days notice for any other reason. If your insurance agent decides not to renew your policy, they have to provide you with at least 30 days’ notice.

Self-Insurance

Drivers and organizations that can prove they have sufficient financial stability by providing a bond or cash deposit with the DMV can qualify for self-insurance.

SR-22s

Drivers who are considered high risk, such as those convicted of a DUI or caught driving without insurance, may be subject to an SR-22 requirement for 3 years.

Defensive Driving

Oregon allows drivers to take state-approved defensive driving courses to help remove points from their record or secure a discount on insurance premiums.

When Is A Car Declared A Total Loss?

Insurance companies are responsible for determining when a car is considered a total loss. There is no strict percentage threshold in Oregon.

When To Report An Accident

Accidents have to be reported to the police and the DMV immediately if any person is injured or killed, or if there is property or vehicle damage exceeding $2,500.

Oregon Car Insurance Contact Information

Knowing who to contact for all vehicle related Insurance matters can save you time and effort.

1. Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR)

Any questions you might have about insurance companies and insurance agents in the state of Oregon can be directed here. This includes helping to understand the minimum requirements set by the state, or whether an agent is legally allowed to do business in the state. This is also where to turn if you have an unresolved issue with your current or previous insurance provider.

Contact Information:

• Consumer Advocacy Hotline: (888) 877-4894 (Toll-free)
• Direct Phone (Salem): (503) 947-7980
• Email (Insurance Help): dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov
• Physical Address: 350 Winter St. NE, 4th Floor, Salem, OR 97301
• Website: dfr.oregon.gov

2. Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services (DMV)

Oregon uses an Automated Life Insurance Reporting (ALIR) system, which does random selections to verify insurance coverage. If you are randomly selected, the DMV is where you confirm your coverage. It is also where you go for registration or title issues, or to submit an SR-22 certificate.

Contact Information:

• General Customer Assistance (Statewide): (503) 945-5000
• Portland Metro: (503) 299-9999
• Salem: (503) 945-5000
• Eugene: (541) 686-7855
• Bend: (541) 388-6322
• Website: dmv2u.oregon.gov (Online Portal)

Common Oregon Car-Related Crime And Fatalities

Oregon drivers have had to contend with record-breaking highs for car thefts alongside significant risks in rural areas and on highways. Knowing these risk factors can help drivers get the right insurance coverage.

Traffic Fatalities In Oregon

Oregon recorded nearly 600 traffic fatalities in 2024, and while preliminary data suggests a 10% increase for 2025, drivers are still exposed to significant risks under different circumstances. For example, roughly 55% of all fatal car accidents in Oregon take place on rural highways, often in the form of a head-on collision. In cities like Portland, 25% of traffic-related fatalities involve pedestrians.

Vehicle Theft Trends

Portland has remained the auto theft capital of Oregon, with older Honda, Hyundai, and Kia models being the most at risk. Oregon has one of the highest rates of stolen vehicle recovery across the United States, with over 85% of stolen vehicles recovered within the first 30 days of being stolen; however, the majority of those vehicles often sustain significant damage, which becomes the financial responsibility of the owners in most cases, highlighting a need for the right level of insurance protection.

Most Common Causes Of Accidents And Fatalities In Oregon

Drugs and alcohol have been involved in around 40% of all fatal car accidents across Oregon, and another 30% involved speeding, particularly on the I-84 and I-5.

In addition, black ice in the Cascade passes and the Columbia River Gorge is responsible for the majority of multi-vehicle pileups in winter. The high annual rainfall throughout the state means that non-fatal hydroplaning accidents (often single-vehicle accidents) are common. Similarly, over 7,000 cases of single-car wildlife-related car accidents happen annually in Oregon.